Lupinus plant named &#39;Red Rum&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Red Rum’ is a new variety of  Lupinus hybridus  that exhibits numerous and large-shaped red-colored flowers.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Lupinus hybridus

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘Red Rum’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Lupinus hybridus known by the varietal name ‘Red Rum’. The new variety was developed in Great Britain. The new variety is a result of cross breeding Russell Hybrid Lupinus Seedling #WCL 027/96 (female parent) (unpatented) and an unknown Lupinus male parent (unpatented). The purpose of the breeding program was to develop a cultivar that exhibited improved color, habit, and bloom form from other Lupinus varieties known to the breeder. The new variety is similar in growth habit to its female parent, but differs in flower color. The new variety is similar in flower color to Lupinus hybridus ‘My Castle’, but differs in flower size, growth habit, and the closeness of the flowers packed on a spike. The new variety was first asexually reproduced by basal cuttings/tissue culture in Great Britain. The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive asexual propagations. Characteristics that distinguish the new variety from others known to the breeder include:

-   -   Clear and intense flower color;     -   Flower form—papilionaceous, with large flowers packed closely on         the flower spike; and     -   Vigorous growth habit.

The new variety was grown in open soil with additional organic fertilizer applied. The new variety initiates and develops roots in 21 days at 15° C. A finished and flowering plant is produced in 36 weeks in a 21 cm container. The new variety exhibits sparse, but thick roots, that exhibit some branching.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 is a photographic image of multiple plants of the new variety; and FIG. 2 is a close-up photograph of the petals of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics were collected by asexual reproductions carried out in Great Britain. The color readings were taken outside under natural daylight. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Form: Mounded and symmetrical. -   Stem:     -   -   Diameter.—12 mm.         -   Color.—Between 144A and 144B, flushed with 70A.         -   Texture.—Slightly hirsute, smooth with longitudinal ridges.         -   Pubescence.—Slight to medium. -   Height: 85 cm. -   Vigor: Good. -   Branching habit: Free. -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Diameter.—8 mm.         -   Internode length.—4.2 cm.         -   Texture.—Lightly hirsute, smooth with longitudinal ridges.         -   Pubescence.—Present.         -   Color.—144A/B, flushed with 70A. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Ascending spiral.         -   Length of leaf stalk.—Basal foliage: 25 cm. Stem foliage: 19             cm.         -   Size of leaf (overall).—Length: 14.5 cm. Width: 14 cm.         -   Leaflets.—Shape of leaflet: Oblanceolate. Number: 13. Width:             2.2 cm Length: 7.8 cm. Shape of apex: Acute. Shape of base:             Cuneate. Aspect: Horizontal presentation. Margin type:             Smooth; entire. Pubescence: Upper surface: None present.             Lower surface: Slight. Color: Young leaflet: Upper surface:             137B. Lower surface: Varies between 137B and 137C. Mature             leaflet: Upper surface: 137A. Lower surface: 137C. Petiole:             Shape: Flattened and round. Length: Basal leaf: 25 cm. Stem             leaf: 19 cm. Diameter: 5 mm. Color: 144A. Venation: Central;             mid-rib; colored the same as the leaflets.

FLOWER

-   Bud (described when buds where just beginning to open):     -   -   Shape.—Napiform.         -   Diameter.—8 mm.         -   Length.—16 mm.         -   Color.—61B and 67A. -   Natural flowering season: May through July in The Netherlands. -   Flower type and habit: Spike.     -   -   Number of flowers per spike.—155.         -   Length of spike.—44 cm.         -   Diameter of spike.—11.6 cm. -   Corolla:     -   -   Form.—Zygomorphic.         -   Petals.—Standard Petals: Number: 2 — fused. Length: 20 mm.             Width: 10 mm. Shape: Ovate. Aspect: Parallel to spike.             Margin: Smooth and entire. Wing Petals: Number: 2. Length:             20 mm. Width: 15 mm. Shape: Ovoid to kidney-shaped. Aspect:             Tilted upward. Margin: Smooth and entire. Keel Petals:             Number: 2 — fused. Length: 17 mm. Width: 7 mm. Shape:             Lingulate. Aspect: Located within wing petals and pointing             upwards. Margin: Smooth and entire. Texture and appearance:             Smooth and satin-like. Color: When opening (Standard             Petals): Upper surface: 35A in the center; between 67B and             67C in the middle; 39C at the edge. Lower surface: 67A and             39A. Fully opened (Standard Petals): Upper surface: 49B in             the center; between 67B and 67C in the middle; 39B at the             edge. Lower surface: 67A and 39A. When opening (Wing             Petals): Upper surface: 50A. Lower surface: 51B. Fully             opened (Wing Petals): Upper surface: 50A. Lower surface:             51B. When opening (Keel Petals): Both surfaces: 39C and             flushed with 39A. Fully opened (Keel Petals): Both surfaces:             39C and flushed with 39A. Keel tip color: 187A.         -   Throat (visible when the standard petals are parted from the             keel petals).—Color: 4D. Texture: Smooth. -   Calyx:     -   -   Form.—Two unequal halves.         -   Length.—7 mm.         -   Diameter.—12 mm.         -   Sepal shape.—Elliptical.         -   Sepal margin.—Smooth and entire.         -   Sepal texture.—Smooth with slight pubescence.         -   Sepal size.—Length: 7 mm. Width: 5 mm.         -   Sepal color.—Upper surface: 149C. Lower surface: Varies             between 149C and 149D. -   Fragrance: Slight. -   Disease resistance/susceptibility: Susceptible to powdery mildew. -   Temperature tolerance: Medium to good. -   Lasting quality: Medium to good.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number (per flower).—There are two groups. A first group             with 6 stamens and a second group with 4 stamens.         -   Filaments.—Length: First group: 4 mm. Second group: 6 mm.             Fused: Yes.         -   Anthers.—Shape: First group: Pencil-like. Second group:             Arrow-like. Length: First group: 2 mm. Second group: 1 mm.             Color: First group: 169B. Second group: 25B.         -   Pollen.—Color: Varies between 25A and 25B. Amount:             Plentiful.         -   Pistils.—Length: 9 mm.         -   Style.—Length: 9 mm. Color: 150 C.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Spherical. Color: 150C. -   Seed/fruit production:     -   -   Description of conditions when produced.—Produced freely.         -   Color.—165A.         -   Size.—1.0 mm.         -   Number.—Approximately 2000 per plant. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Lupinus hybridus plant named ‘Red Rum’ as is herein described and illustrated. 